Starbucks has unveiled one of its most unique outlets worldwide in a 2-storey heritage shophouse in Singapore. Located in Chinatown, the striking heritage shophouse Starbucks is the first-of-its-kind in the world. It occupies a historic building, blending the rich cultural traditions of Chinatown with the brand’s modern coffee experience, with an exclusive retail store and locally-inspired beverages, in a nostalgic pastel setting. Here’s what we know about the world’s first heritage shophouse Starbucks in Chinatown Singapore:
World’s first heritage shophouse Starbucks
The Starbucks at 37 Smith Street is the first outlet to be housed within a restored heritage shophouse. It features traditional architecture mixed with the store’s famous designs, and nostalgic collaborations and murals by local artists Junle Font and Tiffany Lovage.
The two-storey cafe stands out for its pastel-hued facade and Singapore’s first Chinese calligraphy Starbucks signage, crafted by master artists from Yong Gallery, using age-old techniques like wood carving and plaster molding. Definitely, this sets the scene for a unique Starbucks experience for people walking around Chinatown.
Inside the venue, customers are treated to a nostalgic instagrammable interior blended with a modern cafe experience. The ground floor offers a dedicated retail space, showcasing exclusive merchandise like mugs, tumblers, and plush toys, as well as collaborations on Singapore-exclusive items with local artist like JunleFont. Meanwhile, a life-sized Merlion Bearista stands as both a whimsical photo spot and a symbol of Singapore.
Additionally, there’s an inviting cafe space on the first floor with seating inspired by traditional HDB void deck chess tables and vibrant murals of Chinatown’s history by Tiffany Lovage.
Menu highlights
The new outlet boasts an exclusive menu that pays homage to local flavours. Menu highlights include the Black Sesame Oatmilk Coffee Frappuccino with Soy Pudding, the creative Yuan Yang Coffee Frappuccino, as well as heritage bakery items like XL Chicken Char Siew Puff and Coffee Bolo Buns by Old Seng Choong.
Certainly, the new Starbucks store in Chinatown is set to attract creatives and coffee lovers to the area for an unmatched Starbucks experience. The cultural gem opens from 7.30am to 10pm daily for all you early risers. Other unique outlets in Singapore include the Active Garden Starbucks and Jurong Lake Gardens Starbucks.
Overall, there is no evidence of any other Starbucks outlet globally housed within a restored heritage shophouse so the Smith Street Starbucks is a unique milestone for the brand. While the only other similar outlet is the Tianjin Starbucks store in China housed in a preserved historic renaissance-style building. However, it was never a heritage shophouse so this makes Chinatown’s Starbucks truly one-of-a-kind.
📍37 Smith Street, Singapore 058950
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